Colesberg Accommodation / Coniston Guest House Colesberg Accommodation / Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Colesberg

Welcome to Coniston Guest House on SA-Venues.com, offering accommodation in Colesberg, Upper Karoo.
 

Coniston House is one of the few genuine double storey Cape Georgian houses in the country. It was built in 1835 by an ancestor of the present owners in its entirety – as it now stands. The coach house and stables are of the same vintage and have been converted to garden suites. All these buildings have accredited heritage status with plaques. The garden cottage suites have been added at a later stage. Designed and built by a 5th generation grandson of the original owner, designed in the same architectural style.

Rooms in the manor house are spacious and splendid, the garden suites somewhat cosier, but all furnished with heirlooms and family collectables in an inviting homely way.

ACCOMMODATION

Manor House Suite 1:
A large and comfortable suite of two rooms with bathroom. The first bedroom has a charmingly draped Victorian 4-poster, antique dressing table, comfortable armchairs and original paintings (some by Michael Southey). The second sunny bedroom has twin cast iron beds and Edwardian armchair.

Manor House Suite 2:
Smaller suite has 4-poster bed and antiques with en suite bathroom and comfy armchair.

Stable Suite 3:
Comfortable sunny suite sleeps three (4-poster double and single) with yellowwood jongmanskas and dressing table with en-suite shower bathroom. Diamond panel French door gives direct access to garden and parking.

Coach House Suite:4
Two bedroomed suite with two single beds in each room. Arched windows look onto patio with apricot and mulberry trees and heritage roses tumble in profusion over old walls. En-suite shower bathroom.

The Garden Cottage Suites:
Situated on an elevated terrace on the koppie, shaded by old pepper trees. All suites have French doors to garden.

Garden Cottage Suite 5:
Suite of two rooms, one with charming 4-poster, the other with cast iron single beds, riempie bench and drop leaf oak table. En-suite shower bathroom.
 
Garden Cottage Suite 6:
Chic and cosy two bedded suite with flat screen TV and diamond panel garden door. En-suite shower bathroom.

Garden Cottage Suite 7:
Two bedded suite with retro Dolly Varden frilled in Toile de Jouy with antique mahogany fold out mirror and original collages by Annetta Westoby. En-suite shower bathroom and door to garden.

All suites have tea and coffee making facilities, fresh flowers, percale sheets and goose down duvets in winter. Kelims and original artworks complement the rooms. TV’s in all but three suites. There is lock-up parking for all cars.

The Dining Room

Acres of yellowwood floors cover ground floor rooms and our memorabilia-filled dining room has glowing fires in winter. Elegant Georgian windows look onto the busy town square where a large diamond was lost - and found. Dinners are in a class of their own and offer local lamb dishes prepared by one of the owners, a well-known cook and food writer. Pre-booking by guest patrons only. Gourmet class (as judged by AA) breakfasts offering a large range of dishes are served from 07h30.

The Drawing Room

The spacious and elegant drawing room is for the use of the guests and opens through arched French doors to the garden in summer and is warmed by a roaring fire in winter. Superbly furnished with antiques of quality and decorated with abundant flower arrangements by Margrieta. The drawing room features a magnificent parquetry ceiling executed by Alexander Robertson, one of the original English craftsmen settlers whose descendants still farm in the district.

History

The property has been in the family since the early 1800’s when a young Irish settler, Thomas Plewman, was given a piece of koppie by the Dutch Reformed Church. They felt sorry for the young Irishman whose family and farm had been destroyed during the troubles in his home country. He soon built up a business and bought several farms in the district. Coniston House was the homestead for the farm, Grassridge, situated on the borders of the town. He married a local lass and had 13 children, starting the Colesberg dynasty.

Several settler families are united in the history of Coniston House. During the years, Plewman married Southey, married Pringle, married Caldecott (some others you will find in books).

Many historic events occurred in and around Coniston House. During the Boer Wars, the owner left Coniston and took his family to England for safety. It was then turned into a Boer hospital. Coniston House was also host to the historic meeting between Lord Loch and President Kruger to discuss the vexing Swaziland question.

Find out more about Colesberg or view things to do in Upper Karoo. Please let us know how you enjoyed your stay by leaving a review.

ACCREDITATIONS (as claimed by the establishment)